John 11 - Amplified Study Bible

11:1 Bethany. This was a small village on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives. It was located about two miles from Jerusalem.

11:4 not end in death. This phrase means not having death as its final result.

11:6–8 He stayed in the same place two more days. God’s purpose was to glorify His Son (v. 4) and to cause the disciples to grow (v. 15). Had Jesus immediately rushed to Lazarus’ bedside and healed him, Lazarus would not have died and Jesus would not have been able to manifest His glory by raising Lazarus.

11:16 Let us go too, that we may die with Him. While the Lord saw their development in faith, Thomas saw their deaths. Yet, in his loyalty, he followed anyway.

11:33 troubled. This word means to be stirred up, disturbed. Jesus was moved by the mourning of Mary and indignant at the hypocritical lamentations of His enemies.

11:37 Could not this Man. Some people misinterpreted Jesus’ tears as powerlessness. They complained that He had healed others, but now was impotent.

11:43 Lazarus. Augustine once said that, if Jesus had not designated Lazarus by name, all the graves would have been emptied at His command (5:28). Raising Lazarus from the dead is the seventh sign of Jesus’ messiahship, the greatest miracle of all, giving life back to the dead.

11:49–52 it is expedient. In the opinion of Caiaphas, Jesus should die rather than plunge the nation into destruction. John adds that by virtue of his office Caiaphas pronounced a message of God unconsciously. Caiaphas was a prophet in spite of himself. John also saw in Caiaphas’ words a prophecy that Jesus should die not only for Israel but for the Gentiles as well.

11:53 they planned together to kill Him. Humanly speaking, the resurrection of Lazarus was a major factor that led to the plot by the Jewish religious leaders to kill Christ. At this point the council decided informally, if not formally, to put Jesus to death. It is ironic that these men believed they could put to death permanently One who could raise the dead.